It's been twenty-three years since the Oakland A's have played in the Fall Classic and twenty-four years since they've won it. In other words, it's been a mighty long time.
That's why as an A's fan, I will always cherish their sweep of the San Francisco Giants in the 1989 World Series.
A few months ago, I purchased five tickets from this memorable series for the insanely low price of five bucks. That's $5 for the lot, not $5 per ticket.
I've been wanting to add these tickets to my collection for awhile now, but not for the prices they fetch on eBay, which range from $15 to $30 per ticket. Thankfully, patience paid off.
Let's go back and reminisce The Battle of the Bay World Series...
Game One
In game one, Dave Stewart pitched a complete game shutout.
Dave Parker and Walt Weiss helped him out by hitting home runs off of Scott Garrelts in the 3rd and 4th innings.
Dave Parker and Walt Weiss helped him out by hitting home runs off of Scott Garrelts in the 3rd and 4th innings.
Game Three
Here are a pair of tickets from one of the most famous World Series games in MLB history.
On October 17th, 1989, the Loma Prieta earthquake shook the Bay Area and was captured on live television during the World Series coverage.
I'm sure all of you have certain childhood memories that stand out more than others. This was one of those memories for me. I was laying on the couch (watching the pre-game), getting some rest before heading to Thrifty's to work the evening shift. Then all of a sudden, the house started shaking and things started falling off of shelves all around me. I dove under the coffee table and when it was over, the power was out and the house looked like a tornado swept through it. Nobody else was home at the time and I remember being worried about my family. Luckily nobody I knew was injured.
The game was postponed for ten days. But on Friday, October 27th the World Series resumed with Stewart and Garrelts both back on the mound. This time it was the A's bats that won the game.
On October 17th, 1989, the Loma Prieta earthquake shook the Bay Area and was captured on live television during the World Series coverage.
I'm sure all of you have certain childhood memories that stand out more than others. This was one of those memories for me. I was laying on the couch (watching the pre-game), getting some rest before heading to Thrifty's to work the evening shift. Then all of a sudden, the house started shaking and things started falling off of shelves all around me. I dove under the coffee table and when it was over, the power was out and the house looked like a tornado swept through it. Nobody else was home at the time and I remember being worried about my family. Luckily nobody I knew was injured.
The game was postponed for ten days. But on Friday, October 27th the World Series resumed with Stewart and Garrelts both back on the mound. This time it was the A's bats that won the game.
Jose Canseco, Carney Lansford, and Dave Henderson combined for nine hits... including three home runs, nine RBI's, nine runs scored, and twenty-two total bases to secure the game three victory.
Game Four
The next day, Oakland completed the four game sweep of the Giants with a 9 to 6 victory at Candlestick Park.
Mike Moore pitched six solid innings and Rickey Henderson went 3 for 6 with a double, a home run, two runs scored, and two RBI's.
Dave Stewart took home the World Series MVP Award with his stellar pitching performances in game one and game three. But he had plenty of offensive support from his teammates. In four games, the A's had a .301 batting average, 8 doubles, 3 triples, 9 home runs, 32 runs scored, 30 RBI's, and a .964 OPS.
Thank goodness for PED's. Just kidding guys... just kidding. But seriously... there's no telling how many more years I'll have to wait before the Athletics make it back to the Fall Classic.
Happy Thursday and sayonara!
18 comments:
I was rooting for your A's in the ALDS. For some reason I liked them as a kid; oddly enough I specifically liked Mark McGwire and Tony La Russa, before both came to my hometown Cardinals.
While I was watching the coverage of the earthquake that day, I looked down at my local newspaper sitting on the coffee table. The Sports headline previewing game 3 was "Shaken Giants Try a Shakeup." I'm pretty sure that's not what the paper had in mind.
And, of course I still have that paper.
great buy!
I was in high school at the time, and I too worked at Thrifty's. I had the day off, but they called me in to help clean up the mess that the earthquake caused (the Thrifty's I worked at was in San Ramon - east Bay). When the earthquake hit I got in a doorway (does that even help?). I have been in other earthquakes, but that one just felt different, like being on waves instead of shaking.
That's a very cool collectible.
PEDs are the 10th player in some cases...But usually we only know about it a few years late.
Nice Weiss rookie cup card!
I recently came across two cool La Russa collectibles... I'll be posting them up sooner than later. As for the A's... I'm proud of their season. Here's to 2014.
Lol... that's eerily ironic. Very cool collectible though.
Thanks
Another Thrifty's alum? Awesome. I've been told both sides of the coin on the doorway, but that's where I'd run if an earthquake happens. My parents have this solid living room table (they still have it in their new house) that I dove under. It's probably the strongest thing in their home, so I was lucky that I was laying right next to it. And you're right... it was definitely a rolling motion compared to a violent shake.
Thanks
Thanks. The 89T set gets better looking with age. Once upon a time, I hated the design of this set.
Nice write up...I remember turning on the tv to see the pre-game, walking out for a minute, and then coming back to the earthquake. Crazy. I was rooting for Oakland because the Giants beat up on the Cubs...you think 23 years is a long time?!?!?!
When the Cubs eventually make it to the WS... I'll definitely root for them (unless they're against the A's).
Hi there, I thought I'd reach out as one blogger to another! I was searching for pictures of a 2011 World Series ticket for a project I'm working on for someone, and ran across this. The 1989 World Series means a *LOT* to me. Actually, I have a team signed 1989 World Series baseball which is my prized possession. If you ever want to get rid of one of those '89 WS tickets, please let me know! I'd love to make a custom card or booklet using one of them!
Wow... that team signed ball would be the prized possession of my collection too. Very cool piece. As for the tickets... they aren't for trade or for sale. I'm actually trying to track down an affordable game 2 ticket to wrap up the collection.
Best of luck grabbing those tickets. I'd love to see your custom booklet when you do.
I have game 4 and 5
Nice. I need to track down one of those game 5 tickets.
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